My period is late and I have no idea why

Hannah Castillo said:My last one was actually eight days late. If it were always like that, I’d be thrilled. 🙂

I used to enjoy those delays myself... unfortunately, mine is as predictable as a Swiss watch. 😳
But if you're waiting because you suspect you might be pregnant, the waiting game isn't exactly fun.

Karen Nguyen said:Anyway—just go grab a pregnancy test. Better safe than sorry, I guess.

And how much does that even run me? I heard some of them are kinda sketchy and don't even give you a straight answer...

I don't want to start a whole new thread since I'm dealing with the exact same issue, so I'm hoping someone can offer some advice here too...

So, my period was 11 days late this month. My cycle isn't exactly consistent; it usually runs about 4 or 5 days behind schedule anyway.

The trouble actually started back in May when I missed my period entirely, and then it happened again in June. I went in for an exam, and my OB-GYN told me I wasn't pregnant (even though we've been trying to conceive 😁) and prescribed some medication to jumpstart my cycle. I did get my period in July thanks to those pills, but now, in August, it's significantly late.

Here is what’s really weighing on my mind. It isn't stress, and it isn't the summer heat; I stopped taking birth control back in November and haven't had any issues until now. However, my sister has a pituitary tumor of unknown origin, which caused her to lose her period for two years straight.

It's a type of tumor that causes elevated levels of prolactin and testosterone. Is it possible that I might have something similar, perhaps something hereditary? No one else in my family has dealt with this. Also, if my period is late again next month and I'm not pregnant, how long should I wait before getting blood work and a brain scan to check into this?

To answer your question, the most budget-friendly pregnancy test you can pick up at a CVS costs exactly $6.75, though you really need to take it first thing in the morning. Even OB-GYNs rely on those basic ones when they're looking for a definitive answer, which suggests they’re actually quite reliable enough

vividhawk87 said:I don't want to start a whole new thread since I'm dealing with the exact same thing, so I'm asking for advice too...

So, my period was 11 days late this month. My cycle isn't exactly predictable anyway; it usually runs about 4 or 5 days behind.

The issues actually kicked off back in May when I missed my period entirely, and the same thing happened in June. I went to see my OB-GYN, and she told me I wasn't pregnant (even though we're trying to conceive 😁) and prescribed some pills to jumpstart my cycle. I finally got my period in July because of those meds, but now in August, it's significantly late.

Here’s what’s really eating at me. It’s not stress, and it’s not the summer heat—I stopped taking birth control back in November and everything was fine until now. But my sister has a pituitary tumor of unknown origin, which caused her similar issues; she didn't have a period for two years.

It's a type of tumor that causes elevated prolactin and testosterone levels. Is it possible I could have that too, like an inherited thing? No one else in my family has dealt with this. Also, if my period is late again next month and I'm not pregnant, how long should I wait before getting blood work and a brain scan done to check?

I highly doubt you have a pituitary tumor. Remember, your sister almost certainly had other symptoms besides just missing her period.
Nobody actually knows why these tumors develop in the first place.

Emily Thompson said:But how much does that actually cost? I've heard that some tests aren't even entirely accurate...

I'm not sure what the typical costs look like here in the States. Generally speaking, though, pregnancy tests are quite reliable. They’re especially accurate once you've missed your period. They might not be sensitive enough immediately after conception before your period is due, but they definitely work after that point. If you get a positive result, believe it—it's real. These tests react to HCG levels, which spike dramatically during pregnancy (which is perfectly normal), and if you aren't pregnant, those levels simply won't be there.

vividhawk87

It's some kind of tumor that causes elevated prolactin and testosterone levels. Is it possible that I have this too, perhaps as a hereditary issue? No one in my family has ever dealt with it. Also, how long should I wait before getting blood work and an MRI done regarding this, assuming I miss my period again next month and I'm not pregnant?

You should get your blood work done right away, specifically to check your hormone levels. As for a pituitary tumor, I personally don't think that's what you're dealing with. I read a study last spring suggesting that women often experience their most significant menstrual fluctuations during the spring and summer months. Personally, I suspect your situation might just be a matter of fluctuating hormone levels in your bloodstream.

Regarding those fluctuations during the spring and summer months... my period was incredibly strange this past spring; I had it, but it was much lighter than usual, and now here I am at 5 and a half months pregnant. Does one strictly need a standard period to conceive? Of course not! Such cases aren't common, but they certainly happen...

driftingmason20 said:About those weird cycles in the spring and summer... my period was super weird this past spring—it happened, but it was way lighter than usual—and now I'm already 5 and a half months pregnant. You don't necessarily have to miss your period to be pregnant... It's not common, but it happens...

so what other symptoms were you dealing with when you found out you were pregnant?

So, I took a pregnancy test just a few days after my period was late—and because I didn't want to leave anything to chance, I actually did two of them, one of those cheap drugstore ones and one of the more expensive brands just to be absolutely sure 🙂. As far as symptoms go, I didn't really feel much of anything, except for this constant, overwhelming urge to nap all day long.

copperviper20 said:I took two tests—one cheap one and one pricey one just to be totally sure 🙂—and they both showed I was pregnant a few days after my period was late. Honestly, I didn't have any symptoms besides being tired all the damn time.

So, how much are we talking for the cheap vs. the expensive ones? 🙂 I don't even know. Maybe my period is late because I'm way too skinny—I'm only like 97 pounds. It's not like I'm starving myself or anything, I eat fine, I've just been losing weight lately for some reason. So maybe that's it. Though it's never stayed away this long before...🙄

The cheapest ones usually run about 15 to $6.75 (well, they used to be closer to 🙂 a couple of years back), while the high-end stuff hits around 50. Honestly, it might just be because you’ve been losing weight lately. Why not just go see a doctor and get this whole thing sorted out once and for all?

Emily Thompson said:So, like, how much does the cheapest test cost versus the most expensive one? 🙂 Honestly, I have no clue. Maybe my period skipped because I'm way too thin right now. I'm only like 97 pounds. It's not even like I'm starving myself or anything—I eat totally normally—but lately, I've actually been losing weight and I have zero idea why. So maybe that's the reason? It's just that my cycle has never been late for this long before...🙄

Look, I really don't want to freak you out or anything, but there's a real chance you might be dealing with some thyroid issues.
It happened to me once when I suddenly dropped down to 116 pounds at 5'7", and even though I was eating plenty, the weight just vanished over six months.

But seriously, this forum isn't the place for medical advice, so please, sweetie, go see a doctor! Ask them for a referral for some nuclear imaging (that's what they call the specialized thyroid department over at the Los Angeles Lakers clinic!).

So, I was just having a conversation with my wife—she mentioned that her ovulation window fluctuates quite a bit—sometimes it hits around week 6, other times it's more like week 8, and I guess there have even been instances where it reaches up to week 12

Larry Perez69 said:So I was just chatting with my wife about it, and she was saying her ovulation window kind of shifts around—sometimes it hits at week 6, sometimes week 8, and she’s even had it go as late as week 12 before.

Anyway, what’s her doctor saying about all that?

She claims that this is just how things are for her—that her body simply operates according to that specific principle—and that’s that.

finally got my period today—it was a week late, too—but honestly, it feels kinda weak...

Emily Thompson said:What other symptoms were you dealing with when you suspected you were pregnant?

None. No nausea, not even once. My breasts were sore, but I just assumed it was my period coming on—that’s usually how it goes for me. I did have my period, though it was lighter than usual. Looking back, maybe I could have realized what was happening, but I was totally preoccupied with other things and convinced it wasn't possible. But apparently, it is!

Look, let's not scare you with everyone's different stories; everyone's body reacts differently. Just go see a doctor so you can stop worrying about it. At least then you'll actually know what to do. Wishing you the best!🙂

driftingmason20 said:Nothing, honestly—no nausea or anything, I didn't throw up once. My boobs were sore, but I just figured it was PMS or whatever... you know how it is. I did get my period, though it was kinda light. Looking back, maybe there were signs I missed, but I was just totally in my own world thinking it couldn't be happening. But hey, it happened!

Look, I don't want to scare you by dumping my experience on you—everyone’s body is different, right? So, seriously, just go see a doctor and get it sorted so you can stop stressing. At least then you'll actually know what's going on. Wishing you the best!🙂

so when did it finally click that you were pregnant?

Emily Thompson said:So when did you actually realize you were pregnant?

I had light periods for the first two months, but by the third, nothing at all. I took a test—positive. Went to my OB-GYN and he tells me I'm already 15 weeks along! Can you even imagine the shock? First, I’m reeling from the fact that I'm pregnant, then I'm reeling from how far along I am! But once that initial panic subsided, it was PURE BLISS!!!😍 😍

driftingmason20 said:My first two pregnancies were rough—lighter periods, I guess—but by the third month, nothing showed up at all. Took a test and, boom, positive. Went to see my OB-GYN and he tells me I'm already 15 weeks along and have a huge baby in there! Talk about a shocker... first, I'm freaking out because I'm pregnant, then I'm freaking out because I'm *way* further along than I thought. But once that initial panic wore off? Pure, total bliss!!!😍 😍

Mine was late by 4 days last month, now it's been a week... idk. It's never stayed away this long before🙄